NEET levelSingle correct optionDifficulty 1 of 3ap250
The sodium salt shown is heated with COX2 at about 400 K and 4-7 atm, and the product is then acidified. Which structure is formed (Kolbe-Schmitt reaction)?
AStructure A
BStructure B
CStructure C
DStructure D
Answer: B
The salt is sodium phenoxide. The phenoxide ring attacks COX2 electrophilically, mainly at the ortho position under these conditions. Acidification gives 2-hydroxybenzoic (salicylic) acid; the aldehyde is the Reimer-Tiemann product.